Public Statements

How Many Days A Year Do You Work In Order To Pay Your Taxes?

Statement

As millions of hard-working Americans file their income taxes by today, April 15th, we are all reminded of the burdensome and complicated national and state tax structures. Federal, state and local taxes claim almost 27 percent of the average American's income, and the income taxes that Americans pay today are only part of the exploding cost of government.

Americans now pay more in taxes than they spend on food, clothing and shelter combined. Here in California, our state is facing a record deficit and is looking to increase taxes on everything from fast food to property. The tax burdens on our state are especially high, with 10.5 percent of a resident's income going to state and local taxes alone. In fact, it will take Californians an average of 104 days just to pay their taxes this year.

I share your frustration with our current convoluted tax code, and have been calling for fundamental tax reform since I came to Congress. I have consistently voted for lower taxes and will continue to do so. I will also continue to work to end the death tax once and for all. The time has come to reform our tax system and provide fairness to all taxpayers.

The solution is not taking more taxes from the American people who are more efficient and know better how to spend their hard-earned money. As California suffers from a 12.5 percent unemployment rate, we simply cannot afford it. The answer is fiscal discipline in Washington, D.C., and tax relief for working Americans.